Best Teachers in Portland!
We are experts in bass, drum set, guitar, mandolin, piano, songwriting, ukulele, and voice.
Lauren Hatch
Piano
Lauren (she/her) started playing piano as a child. She was classically trained but discovered jazz as a teenager and realized that playing music with other people is not only fun, but also a good way to make friends. She has spent the last twenty years playing in various bands and ensembles. Lauren empowers students to explore their musical path and achieve their goals through patient and step by step instruction. Read more…
Reb Conner
Guitar, voice, songwriting
Reb (she/her) holds a degree in music from the University of Oregon. She has a decade of experience performing live and touring internationally, including as the front-woman of High Step Society, a band that played for crowds of thousands. She plays many styles, from Bossa Nova to pop. Lessons with Reb are designed to help build confidence and challenge students to grow in whatever direction they want to go. Read more…
Juliet Terrill
Guitar, bass
Juliet (she/her) is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years of experience in bass and guitar who has toured internationally with a wide array of musical groups. She has a bachelors of arts in music from Sam Houston State University, and has held a longtime passion for teaching as well as performing. Juliet’s goal is to help each student discover the true artist that dwells within them. Read more…
Fedja Zahirovic
Guitar, bass, piano
Fedja (he/him) studied piano and guitar in his youth. He has spent 20 years performing professionally prior to earning his Bachelor’s degree in musicology and ethnomusicology from Portland State University. Lessons with Fedja focus on building fundamentals, music theory, and learning to play! He is patient, kind, and uses positive reinforcement to support his students on a path toward achieving their goals. Read more…
Jesse Feinstein
Piano, bass, drums
Jesse (he/him) has studied piano since age 4. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in jazz piano from Portland State University. He has more than a decade of experience performing jazz, classical, and salsa with many professional groups. Jesse’s lessons focus on each student’s goals, nurturing creativity and personal development. He teaches with kindness, enthusiasm, and patience–an approach well suited to both children and adults. Read more…
Joseph Mammarella
Guitar, bass
Joseph (he/him) is a Portland-based guitarist who regularly performs in a number of styles ranging from jazz to rock to musical theater. Joseph earned his Bachelor of Music from Portland State University in 2019, and released his debut album “Unleashed” in July 2022. Lessons with Joseph focus on helping his students find their own unique voice on the instrument. Read more…
Harmon
Guitar, ukulele, piano, bass, mandolin
Harmon (they/them) holds a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from UC Santa Cruz. They were raised by musical parents, one a former concert promoter, and the other a children’s sing-a-long teacher. Harmon performs regularly with their jazz-punk band Blood Honey. They teach students as young as five years old. Lessons with Harmon help students develop a passion for music in a fun and energetic way. Read more…
David Elan Kelley
Guitar, ukulele
David (he/him) is a singer, songwriter, composer and holds a Masters Degree in music performance from Portland State University. David has been performing and teaching music for 30 years. He writes and performs music in many styles including rock, pop, jazz, classical, folk, hip-hop, and blues. As a teacher David is patient and empathetic, and his greatest joy is when a student really “gets” the lesson they are working on. Read more…
Ross Garlow
Bass, guitar
Ross (he/him) holds a master’s degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Originally from Philadelphia, he spent 5 years traveling the world as a music director for major production companies and cruise lines. Ross is very active in the local music scene in Portland. Ross has a decade of experience teaching private bass and guitar lessons. Lessons with Ross focus on developing the student’s passion for and understanding of music. Read more…
Brenden Ramirez
Guitar, bass, songwriting
Brenden (he/him) is a guitarist and educator based in Portland, Oregon. Brenden attended Willamette University and earned his B.A. in music with an emphasis in improvisation. Brenden is an avid songwriter and writes and records his own music under the project name “Bory.” Having experience with students of all ages and skill levels, Brenden is a patient, versatile teacher who loves to see his students grow. Read more…
Joseph Berman
Guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, drums
Joseph (he/they) is an active member of the Portland music scene with a master’s degree in jazz composition from the University of Miami. Joseph can be heard performing with folk-pop outfit Robin Jackson and the Caravan, and klezmer violinist Michelle Alany. Joseph believes in taking time to get to know each student, and to develop for them a personalized course of study based on their interests and needs. Read more…
Phil Ajjarapu
Guitar, bass, ukulele, violin
Phil (he/him) Phil Ajjarapu has spent most of his life studying, performing, teaching, and learning about music. He has played in orchestras, rock groups, jazz ensembles, and choirs. He has recorded as a session musician on multiple instruments for almost two decades. He has taught orchestra, choir, general music, history of rock, songwriting, and recording. Lessons with Phil focus on learning to play fun songs in a supportive environment. Read more…
Your first lesson is on us!
Follow the link to schedule your Kickstart Session, a free 30 minute lesson where we play, chat, and find out if we're a great fit.
